Chapter 7

The stares were annoying, the whispers behind his back even more so. While he was washing himself in the public bathroom of Okiya for male servants and Kamuro —Yuuki felt every single inch of his skin being dissected, being appraised, being judged. The uncomfortable tense silence with hushed murmurs was simply suffocating.

The hospital has healed all his serious injuries, but the smaller ones, that could heal with the time by themselves, stayed— the yellow-purplish myriad of bruises, the scratches and scrapes. It wasn't rare to see the aftermath of punishment on someone's body, they weren't that surprised at seeing the bruises, but his situation was different— his weren't granted by mere punishment but murder attempt.

Okiya was an extremely secluded and repressed place, for someone specialising in entertainment —their own source of it was gossip and schemes. The countless versions of his story were told and retold multiple times by bored people. Somehow, they all ended with Minami being a bad guy. He wondered whether it was Yagura's doing or just general dislike and jealousy towards rising Geisha.

Minami was only fifteen. That day she seemed so big, so overpowering but in reality, she was but a child herself. No, he should stop thinking with perspective of his previous life.

Minami was already fifteen, she knew exactly what she was doing. Why would he even have sympathy for someone who tried to kill him?

Yuuki looked at the mirror reflection of himself in the waters of the bucket. His left hand automatically raised to feel the edges of his scar. From that day he was also left with one pinkish line right under his ribcage— at this moment it was difficult to see it under the colourful assembly of bruises on his body, but after they healed—he wondered whether it would spark another round of discussions.

His reflection became distorted as he scooped the water with the ladle creating ripples on the surface. His hair dripped with liquid, but he finally managed to get all of shampoo out of it.

The biggest reason why Maiko and Geisha were so popular was because they were pure, unmarked— like beautiful birds that were sitting in their cages untainted by the impurities of the world. Of course, not everyone liked this type of unaware ditz, shinobi certainly wouldn't begrudge you for some small scar. But there were also those who didn't want to be reminded that even inside the protective walls of the Village you could get harmed or even get killed. Noble population of the Land of Fire had even more stringent requirements— there shouldn't be any blemishes on the skin like freckles or God forbid particularly big moles.

Yuuki absentmindedly caressed his scar, his feelings were rather complicated, for two years he worked day and night with certain goal in mind, and now it felt like his life tilted upside down. Yagura had several personal attendants- Kamuro, but not all Kamuro will become Maiko or Geisha, some will forever remain servants in Okiya. It wasn't a secret that Yagura had chosen Yuuki as his successor as soon as they met. For two years Yagura had personally taught him his skills, funded his education in school and paid for his clothes and meals. If everything went accordingly Yuuki would have continued his education, made connections with valuable customers through Yagura and in two- three years he would have been able to pay off his debt. He can't help but feel guilty and ashamed for not meeting Yagura's expectations.

If everything went accordingly, he would have at least known the future trajectory of his life. He had no knowledge of shinobi, no backing, no clan, no skills, no nothing.

Yuuki was annoyed at being denied the choice —once again. He had no choice when his uncle sold him, he had no choice when Okiya bought him, he had no choice when he remembered the past, he had no choice when they gave him registration form —making everything he had worked so hard for— essentially useless. He was rather flexible person and always took everything in stride, but wasn't that a bit too much?

Yuuki got up from the stool and dabbed the towel on his skin wiping away any moisture remains. The moment he closed the door behind him the loud voices erupted behind his back.

It has been a week since that incident, by this time everyone would have already been bored by this topic. If only… the continuation didn't happen. Last night Minami hung herself on the beams of her room. After losing her child Mother was reading her to become lower-level courtesan and throw at her as many visitors as possible so she would pay off her debt. After her first night she couldn't bear it anymore and committed suicide.

In the deepest part of his heart, he could admit that he was partially relieved, living together with someone who tried to kill you and held a grudge against you — wasn't exactly a fun endeavour.

Yuuki felt tired. Who was he kidding? Okiya was a safe place? Even if you obeyed all rules, you could receive a knife in your back from one of your colleagues or servants, you could accidentally trigger shinobi and lose your life during their fly or fight response, you could say the wrong thing to those stinky nobles who would get offended and then they would make it their mission to make your life a living hell.

Okiya was like pile of shit wrapped in beautiful packaging.

His situation right now was rather ridiculous. He was weird half permanent fixture in Okiya— neither a guest, not really a servant. Yuuki didn't know what Yagura said to Mother, but he somehow persuaded her for him to stay. If he didn't pay off the debt within ten years - until he was sixteen (the average age of debut for Geisha) or received injury that would make him unable of working further down shinobi path, he would bring his ass back to Okiya and work as he was supposed to.

The graduation age of children was currently between eight and eleven. After becoming a genin you sign a five year contract during which you have to serve the Village and can't resign. Essentially Yuuki has to either graduate as early as possible and then work like a horse for that money or dawdle around for ten years without dying and then he would have a place to fall back onto. This deal gave him a great sense of security and at least some impression of what he could expect from the future.

Down the corridor he saw Iroha, he pretended not to see him before he heard his voice. "Yu-yuuki-chan, are you, okay? I he-heard, what h-happened to you," Iroha asked him with concerned expression.

"Thank you. I am in good health. There is no need for your concern," Yuuki bowed his head and replied politely, before continuing going to his room.

Behind his back he heard Iroha loudly stuttering. "I am-mn SORRY!" His face was red with embarrassment. "Yo-you know, I h-had no choice…"

Yuuki looked back at him from behind his shoulder and answered softly. "I know."

Yuuki was wailing into the folds of Yagura's kimono, his face borrowed into his stomach. "Shhh, child."

Yagura gently sat down on his knees and hugged him. Yuuki borrowed his face into the crook of his neck and let out all the pain he held inside as Yagura gently lifted him up and rocked him back and forth in soothing manner.

Just like that he fell asleep. It was his first dreamless night since that day.

"Yagura, you know I do not keep freeloaders here," the smoke of tobacco pipe coalescing around Mother, the shadow shrouding her form. She just wanted to raise a price.

After going back and forth for an hour straight Yagura finally snapped. "Just say what you want, Mother." The old hag was good at bargaining.

Mother grinned with satisfaction. "Now that Minami is no longer with us, we still need to propose a qualified apology gift to the sixth son of the Daimyo." The rest didn't need to be said as she glanced at him meaningfully.

Yagura clenched his jaw. "Alright. With this Yuuki's matter is settled."

"Never took him for a caring type," Mother sneered at his retreating back.

The sixth son of Daimyo was everything rumours described him as— shallow, unambitious and ugly. Generation after generation would Fire Daimyo reproduce with the most noble and beautiful women their county had to offer, and their offsprings would still look like that. They were truly capable.

The man with bear belly and thin moustache above his upper lip that made him look like a pervert was the perfect example of it. Yagura heard that this man was unworthy enough of even being killed during the game of thrones that all royals participated in— but he still harboured his suspicions. He could be playing long game, right? After looking at him… The lights are on, but nobody is home.

Two different bottles of chilled sake were placed at the table, the droplets of water vapour slid down the contours of the jars. After customary show of poison testing first by Yagura and then by guards, the male courtesan finally started making preparations. First, he lit up the incense— the coalesced wisps of smoke and pleasant flowery smell created more intimate atmosphere in the room. Then Yagura poured sake from two jars— one after another into transparent glasses creating distinctive layers of colour, that were aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

"The tangible sweetness with slight note of bitterness in it is the best, isn't it?" Yagura smiled while his tongue was seductively wrapped around the straw he was using. His royal foolishness became red in face from the sight.

Yagura sipped his drink leisurely while listening to the empty boasts of the man and wondered when the effects would kick in. The guards standing right behind the door were getting on his nerves. They checked every single corner of the room; they even wanted him to strip naked from to check for hidden weapons in his clothes until the man of hour told them to get out.

"Such a good drink. Maybe I will ask to send me a couple of them later." With every passing minute the man's cheeks became redder and redder, his hiccups more frequent, his eyes more glazed. It was time. "Should we change our location?" Yagura gently whispered in his ear and led the stumbling man towards the bed. His jaw and fists clenched as he allowed man to have his fill.

The drunk was too out of his mind to do anything. Yagura stripped him off his clothes until he reached his underpants. The courtesan scrunched his face in disgust at already sleeping man and started his work— leaving marks on his neck and chest. The next five minutes Yagura played one man show of 'vigorous activity'.

The moment he heard loud guttural snore of his distinguished guest on his bed he stopped his play and shouted loudly so guards would hear, "Oh my… so fast."

"ZZZ-Zzzz-ZZzzz-hngGGggh-Ppbhww- zZZzzzZZ." Yagura had a headache because of his loud snores, at this moment he really wanted to kick him out.

'The things I do for you, Yuuki.' Yagura ruffled his hair in frustration.

Of course, he didn't poison the member of royal family. In truth Yagura was a total lightweight, he couldn't possibly outdrink the man with good alcohol tolerance— and making him drunk was pretty much his only option out of this sticky situation.

Two sake had different densities, they couldn't mix and create solution— just like water and oil. So, while Yagura was sipping the bottom layer of sake with his straw, which was relatively lighter stuff —the man was chugging the strong alcoholic drink from the top. Only this much wouldn't have been a full-proofed plan, so he also added salt and sugar in the stronger sake to help man absorb alcohol better. Which type of sake he kept refilling his guest's glass you know yourself.

And final touch —mild hallucinogen and relaxant. The bastard better thank him for gifting him 'ultimate wet dream'. After all dreams were always better than reality.

"Little Beauty-hihihi-" the man murmured with perverted grin on his face, "- come to daddy-zzZZzZ." The man loudly smacked his lips and flipped his heavy body on another the side like a whale jumping on a shore.

If nothing else the man looked too fucking happy for his liking.

Yagura blowed out the incense. He really owed Shikaku one.

What a potent stuff.

Okiya was a place for companionship. People didn't visit it to indulge in their more 'carnal desires'. They come for something more valuable than that, to fill in the most vulnerable and the most human part of their heart —the one that longed for human interaction, for human warmth. Geisha sold their wit, skills and charm. From the young age they were taught how to make others feel relaxed and appreciated, they were skilled conversationalists and even more skilled entertainers. Only with willing of Geisha would they reach the level of human touch, most often than not they wouldn't reach this threshold.

The more unsavoury task – the exactly one you think of, when you hear the word 'courtesan' – was assigned only to lower-level courtesans. In such prestigious place like 'Red blossom' it was separate building far away from the main one. If not for the fact that it was shortcut towards laundry room and Yagura's penchant to eat food from their kitchen Yuuki wouldn't have stepped in such a dirty place.

Of course, it was the story for second best Okiya in the Land of Fire, the majority were exactly how you would imagine them — vulgar and cheap.

Right now, he stood exactly in front of such a place, a letter from his cousin in his hands. He had been trying to find her for a while now.

Konohagakure was massive- enormous even, it wasn't town, it wasn't city, it was megapolis. Even if he knew the name of establishment and that the location was in the Red-Light district, it still took him two weeks k to find the right place.

Yuuki stared at the wooden placate 'Hana's peaches, Yuri's melons' that hung right above the entrance. There were bars, other similar brothels and gambling dens surrounding it. Haruka was living -he looked at the drunks laying around in the alley, at the crashed cigarettes and broken bottles of liquor- …here? His lips tightened into thin line.

It was two-story wooden building with lots of colourful lantern— it looked positively gaudy.

Yuuki chose the most inconspicuous of his robes and he still felt overdressed. Konoha was some sort of mix of old and modern together. One time he saw someone standing in the line of ramen stand in mesh shirt that left nothing to imagination and behind that person was a man with at least six layers of kimono. And both outfits were perfectly acceptable.

Usually, they were guards standing at the gates of Okiya and you could talk with them if you needed anything. This place didn't have them, even the wooden door looked like it was holding on for dear life. He specifically chose early hours of the morning to come— the time when all activities would be finished, but personnel wouldn't go to the sleep yet. He couldn't come in the evening if he didn't want Yagura to notice.

Yuuki shifted from leg to leg hesitant on how to proceed. Few strugglers staggered on their legs and the man shouted at him slurring his words. "Hey, kid! It-its thees not a place for a shrim' like you."

"Thank you for your concern." Yuuki bowed, the corners of his lips drawing a gentle ark.

Yuuki was still rather skinny after everything that happened, but he had the beauty that could never be called ugly. His black hair made his white skin stand out even more. His bright blue eyes were very expressive, it seemed like they were unable to hide any emotion. The cute mole on the tip of his voice made him look even more delicate. He looked like a porcelain doll you wanted to put in pocket and carry around with yourself.

The woman in her forties who was carrying the drunk man squealed. "Awww, what a cutie." Then her gaze became serious. "Seriously, kid. You better hurry up. If not for this idiot— I would have escorted you myself outta here." She fluffed up her hair in frustration.

"I understand, nee-san." The manners were beaten in him to the point that he responds politely before he could even process what was happening. In before he was never that polite.

Yuuki squared his shoulders and moved closer to the door. Before it could hit him in the face he moved to the side.

The man with grizzled beard loudly smooched the woman in his hands, slapped her ass and walked out. The beautiful woman wore half transparent red clothes. They seemed to be too thin for the current weather.

"…"

The woman with a bit splotchy white powder on her face and disheveled levelled Yuuki with a look. "A bit young to go to such places, aren't we? What young master like you've forgotten here?"

"Good morning. I would like to speak with Haruka. As far as I know she should be working here." Yuuki composed himself.

"Haruka…?" She took a cigarette out and lit it up. "Nonoka!" She hollered opening the front door. Yuuki step back after his eardrums were assaulted out of nowhere.

"Whaaaat?!" "Do we have someone called-…" She turned to him again. "What's the name again?"

"Haru-" He was interrupted mid-sentence. "Do we have what?!"

"Wait a'bit, will ya!"

"Haruka." Yuuki wanted to leave badly. "Do we have Haruka!?"

After that he heard the ruckus happening behind the doors. "We don'cha."

She took a drag of cigarette. "We don't have anyone with this name livin' here." The woman puffed out smoke at him face making Yuuki cough.

"Brown hair, brown eyes, freckles on her nose, tanned skin." Yuuki fidgeted and tried to remember her details. "She came here two years ago about this time of the year?"

"Ahhhh. Her's name Hanemi now. Watcha business do you with her?" She frowned and gave him once over. At least she doesn't allow just anyone to meet her.

"She is my cousin." Yuuki's eyes watered from the smoke. He would have to wash himself later once again or he would be too suspicious.

"You look'n nothin' like her."

"Genetics." He shrugged. "I have a letter from her— here." He took out the letter from his sleeve. She scanned the piece of paper and stared at it incomprehensibly. She seemed to be illiterate?

"Nonoki!" She shouted once again. "Someone is here for Hanemi."

"She is sleeping!" "Then bloody wake he'up!" Yuuki breathed a sigh of relief.

Once again scanned him from head to toe. "Tsk one mighty family you are. One is swimmin' in riches…" Her gaze stuck on his thick pristine clothes and small backpack that Yagura bought for him, and she whistled. "Another's stuck in dirt. Che!" She flipped her hair and loudly shouted the door in his face. Indeed, compared to Haruka— he was the one who got the long end of the stick. She seemed to care quite a bit about Haruka.

Fifteen minutes later fourteen years old girl came down the stairs. Haruka changed a lot— she shot up and was at least twice as tall as him, her body looked somewhat gangly — all long limbs that she didn't seem to know how to operate herself. Not a woman yet, but not a child already. In couple of years, she would fill out and would stop looking so awkward.

That woman didn't joke about them not looking like each other at all. The only thing that had in common was their upturned noses and facial markings on it; Haruka's— freckles, Yuuki's— a mole on the tip of it. Yuuki used to hear from others that he was picked up by the roadside, but his family assured him that his mother-whom he never met- said he looked like a copy of his father.

Even though Haruka was born and raised in coastal area, she seemed like a native of Konoha.

While no matter how you looked at Yuuki, at first glance you knew he was an outsider — with his pale skin, dark blue hair, crystal-clear azure eyes, slight frame and delicate features; he looked rather unique.

Even though Konoha was in the Land of Fire, the word Yuuki wanted to associate with it was 'Earth'. Everyone around the Village resembled tree in its earthy colours. Brown, blond and black hair; eyes the colour of the soil and leaves, a healthy tanned skin, with a bit stocky built- like that of a tree that wouldn't move even under the harshest of the winds— at least seventy percent of the population looked like that.

That's exactly why Haruka was the one who ended up with the shortest end of the stick. To add up to her unassuming appearance even her face couldn't be described as beautiful, it was by no means ugly, but it was rather…plain.

She looked with hesitation at him. "Yuuki?" He supposed he also changed. "Haru-nee, it has been a while. I am sorry I didn't come sooner-"

Moment later sat down on her knees and hugged him tightly the same way she used to do long time ago. "I missed you." She immediately let go and started looking at him from head to toe. "How are you? Are they treating you well? How is-" The warmth flooded his chest. His nee-san didn't changed at all.

"Nee-san, I am good. I eat as much as-" The next second her gaze changed, and her expression became serious. Haruka shut his mouth and led him into dark alley behind the building looking out for the witnesses. "Listen quietly. I am planning to run away soon. Are you coming with me?"

Yuuki looked at her incomprehensibly. Run away where? They had nowhere to go. Before he could reply he saw Haruka looking at him with desperation. "Where…?" He managed to croak out.

"To our village, of course!" Was there even anyone left there? "I can't-"

"Why not?!" She started anxiously pace. "I can't, Yuuki. As soon as I turn fifteen, I will start working here." She looked at him horrified, her shoulder shaking. Shit.

"I have been admitted into shinobi Academy. I can't, nee-san." He also had enormous debt on his shoulders, and the only way to leave Okiya without paying it off is death. Mother was petty enough to request a mission and make it as painful as possible. Not to mention the mandatory draft from literally military forces… "Why did you even get tangled up with shinobi business?"

Yuuki purposefully didn't answer the last question. "Nee-chan," he started hesitantly. "The entrance and exit are very strict at the Gates. You won't be able to leave…" She broke down in tears. "I know that, but what else can I do?" There was nothing.

"Elder sisters are actually pretty nice and caring. But- hick…" She breathed deeply in and out and furiously wiped away at her tears. "I don't want to do this." There is nothing either of them could do. After a while she just looked resigned, but she managed to squeeze a stiff smile.

"You are still young. I am will be okay. This useless elder sister worried you needlessly." She didn't look alright.

"Now again… What's that with shinobi stuff? Don't you have to have that chantra thingy?"

"Chakra." Yuuki automatically corrected her. "I kinda have a lot of it, so that's why I am going there. It just happened like that."

Haruka put her hands on his shoulders and looked him deeply in the eyes. "Yuuki, listen carefully. First you have to protect yourself. Don't play any hero, okay? You are only family I have left."

"Of course, nee-chan. I wasn't planning on anything like it."

"Hanami! Where did ya get lost your skinny ass?!" Came the voice of the woman who met him at the door.

Haruka hollered the exact same way as two other women. "Coming!" Yuuki stared dumbfounded at his sweet sister. Before he came out of the alley, he gave her a hundred ryō, it was a really small sum, but it was all that he could save during those two years. Mostly it was from him selling cuteness to the stall ladies when he was buying snacks for Yagura.

That woman stood at the porch and looked at them pondering. "Haru-nee, I will visit you when I can."

"Tch. Thought young master would buy you out." "Young master?" Haruka muttered in confusion.

"You shouldn't come too often. This place is too dangerous for children like you. You should study more while you can." Haruka tried to remind him.

"I will come when I can. See you later." Yuuki waved and turned on his heels.

"You illegitimate of some noble or something?" He heard the woman ask Haruka quietly who tilted her head in confusion.

Yuuki left with heavy heart not knowing whether Haruka would try to make a ruf for it or not. He knew… she wouldn't be able to do it

Yuuki stilled his heart and opened the door. The gentle breeze hit him right in the face.

From the first glance the rooftop didn't change— it was as clattered as always had been. He went further down the road- behind the pile of trash. Here it was — the bloodstains. The sight even during the day looked particularly gruesome. There was so much blood. He didn't know how he didn't die from sheer blood loss alone.

Yuuki took a deep breath and hold it in. Inhale… one, two, three… exhale. The wind blew carrying with it disgusted smell of rot and blood that stewed under the sun for a week.

Exhale… one, two- he emptied the contents of his stomach. Face his own fears his ass.

In a daze he looked towards the horizon, anywhere but the bloodstains. Three stone faces met him. They felt very oppressive, like they were watching him, even though he knew it wasn't the case.

Somehow, he kept forgetting that it was the world of Naruto. For him it wasn't that anime from before, it was real world with real people. If nothing else, it felt more like ancient harem drama rather than action filled shonen.

Yuuki felt tired, he didn't want to deal with any of that. In before he saw situations similar to his own. They would always end up being entangled with the main characters and rely heavily on known plot. Yuuki felt it was ridiculous. It was real world. There were at least twenty-five million people if not more in the Village. What were the chances of meeting them? -Close to none.

The only one he met from canon was Shikaku Nara, and if not for his name he wouldn't even know that it was him. He looked nothing like his cartoon self.

The next step would be teaching themselves something they know only some basic knowledge of— like practicing with chakra. His first spark happened under really traumatic circumstances, so he didn't even remember the feeling of chakra, the flow of it. Did he know how chakra system looked like? -No. Did he know how he should channel it? – No. What are the chances of him dying after doing something he had zero knowledge of? -Yes.

"Wait, that's not how you answer…"

"The answer is Yes."

"…"

"…"

"Whatever, man."